STANWOOD — Christians from different denominations raised their hands toward the heavens, sang and praised at a National Day of Prayer service here.
People gather at more than 43,000 locations across the country for the annual observance held on the first Thursday in May.
Pastor Emmit Glanz, of Mountain Top Ministries on Camano Island, has organized the event in Stanwood for more than a decade.
“I felt our nation needed all the prayer it can get,” said Glanz, 89. “It’s a good influence for our community.”
About 120 people attended the service in the Haggen parking lot Thursday in Stanwood. They folded their hands, bowed their heads and prayed as two musicians gently strummed guitars.
The group prayed together for the country, the government, the military, first responders, the media, youth, education, the economy, families, churches, persecuted Christians and Israel. They also broke into smaller circles to pray for other causes, such as world peace.
Zeb Hering, 14, led the youth prayer. He invited all of the children and anyone “young at heart” to join him in front of the crowd.
Hering said he put together his words in a notebook. But instead of reading his remarks, he decided to speak from his heart, “from what the Holy Spirit was telling me,” he said.
About a dozen local churches and faith-based groups helped organize the service.
“We think it’s so important,” said Jean Bach, a volunteer from Camano Island. “God bless the USA.”
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.
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